Puerto Rico Buzz

Twenty-Two Individuals Indicted For Firearms Trafficking

Twenty-Two Individuals Indicted For Firearms Trafficking

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – November 2, 2017. A federal grand jury returned seventeen separate indictments charging twenty-two individuals for trafficking firearms without a license, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The agencies in charge of the investigation are the Puerto Rico Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobbaco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Puerto Rico Department of Justice with the collaboration of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations.

The defendants are also facing charges for: possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, possession of a machine gun, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. During the investigation and leading up to today’s take-down, authorities seized 35 firearms, including 20 pistols and 15 rifles, among these, five were machine guns.

Today, as part of this joint effort, the Puerto Rico Department of Justice charged eight other defendants with firearms violations.

“We will vigorously prosecute those involved in the illegal sale and trafficking of firearms, which are then used in the commission of violent crimes,” said United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. “We will continue working with the state authorities to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals, who all too frequently endanger our community.”

“Today is a good day for the citizens of Puerto Rico as these indictments exhibit a collective effort to combat violent crime in the community. Together with the Police of Puerto Rico and HSI, we have dismantled a group dedicated to firearms trafficking in Puerto Rico,” said Ari C. Shapira, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the Bureau of Alcohol, tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Miami Field Division.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie Christine Amy and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Daynelle M. Álvarez-Lora are in charge of the prosecution of the cases. If convicted, the defendants face up to five years in prison for engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license, up to 10 years for possession of a machine gun and for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and up to life in prison for possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Puerto Rico is Open for Tourists

(SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico Buzz) – Travelocity® and Expedia Media Solutions®, in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, are ramping up efforts to help shift public perception of the situation in Puerto Rico, this week.

“Puerto Rico has always been a popular destination for travelers, as well as a fantastic, long-term partner, and we jumped at the chance to work with Travelocity to support the Puerto Rico Tourism Company,” said Wendy Olson Killion, global senior director for Expedia Media Solutions. “The collaborative campaign will ensure new and repeat visitors know Puerto Rico is again open for tourism, and that tourism will positively impact the island’s economy and contribute to recovery efforts.”

“We are thrilled to have our Travelocity and Expedia partners join in spreading the word that the Island is, in fact, open for tourism,” said Carla Campos, acting executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. “It is with pride and hospitality, traits that characterize our people, that we welcome visitors with open arms, because coming to visit us is the best way to support us right now.”

The campaign, which was donated on behalf of Travelocity and Expedia Media Solutions, includes on site advertising placements, a dedicated page highlighting the hotels and resorts that are open for business in Puerto Rico, and useful content about the country on the Travelocity “Inspire” blog.

Travelocity is offering $150 off a $1500 package booking with code CARIBNOW from now until February 6th, 2018 for travel between now and September 16th, 2018. For full terms and conditions visit http://travelocity.us/PuertoRico.

Rosselló Asks Police Officers to Return to Work

The massive absenteeism of police officers has been largely attributed to the lack of overtime pay in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, but some say it goes back even further.

“I ask of any partner of the uniformed force that is not attending [work]at this moment – I ask of them to return,” said Rosselló. It’s not just about giving a message about a series of initiatives, but it’s a matter of safety for our people.

Rosselló is currently evaluating how police officers that missed work, will be reprimanded.

“We’re establishing which administrative measures will take place,” said Rosselló. There’s a lot of information that needs to be gathered.

At times, approximately 8,000 police officers have missed worked, out of about 14,000 islandwide.

Police union representatives have said that police officers are using their sick and holiday time available.